RICHARDSON, Texas - The UT Dallas softball team split its season home-opening double-header with Ottawa (Kan.) at UTD Softball Field on Saturday afternoon.

The Comets (5-1) took the opener 4-3, before the Braves (7-1) who was the first team receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Poll, won game two 7-4.

In game one, shortstop Erin Ledesma hit a double down the left field line and scored on a double by Claire Pollack to put UTD up 1-0 in the bottom of the first. Ottawa tied the game in the second on a solo home run by catcher Nayley Delgado. 

The Comets took the lead for good in the third when second baseman Jordan Evans led off with an infield single, stole second and later scored on a base hit by designated player Sarah Lewis. They added two more runs in the second with an RBI-single from Ledesma and a Claire Pollack run-scoring ground ball.

OU's Cierra Faubion hit another solo homer in the fifth to make the game 4-2. The final run of the game came on a RBI-double to right center in the top of the seventh off the bat of second Allison Kearney. 

In the nightcap, Ottawa jumped out to a 5-0 lead after two frames. Pollack drove in Ledesma and Evans with a single up the middle to cut the deficit to 5-2 in the third. The Braves tacked on another run in the fourth and one in the sixth. Sophomore right fielder Kailey Gonzales made the game 7-4 in the bottom of the sixth with a two-run blast over the right center fence.

UT Dallas Notes
- Starter Emilie Hoelscher moved to 3-0 on the season, allowing eight hits, three runs and a walk in game one. She also struck out a career-high 13, three off the UTD record.
- The Comets stole five bases in the opener.
- Pollack recorded three hits, including a double, and had four RBI on the day. She is the only Comet to record a hit in all six games this season.
- Ledesma hit a double, stole a base, drove in a run and scored twice.
- Center fielder Megan Zatopek was 2-for-2 with a run scored and a walk in game one.
- Evans had a hit and a run in both contests.
- Catcher Megan Todd had a double in game two, bringing her career total to 22. 
- Gonzales' home run was the first of her career.

Ottawa Notes
- Delgado, Faubion and Reagan Hammons each had a home run for the Braves.
- Center fielder Riley Newbold was 3-for-5 with four runs scored from the leadoff spot in the two games.
- Shortstop Madison Bunfill went 4-for-4 with three driven in game two.
- Kelcie Kippes (4-0) earned the win in game two, allowing five hits, two earned runs and three walks with two strikeouts. She was also 2-for-4 at the play with a double.

Up Next
UT Dallas will travel to Houston for a double-header at St. Thomas on Saturday, February 25.